97 of the Easiest No-Cook, No-Bake, No-Fuss Recipes

Get out of the kitchen fast with enough delicious no-cook ideas to keep you cool all summer.

Appetizers & Sides

1. Chilled Raspberry ShootersServe this tangy mix of raspberries, sour cream, and cranberry juice in small glasses—guests can sip while they chat! Get the recipe
at Taste of Home>>

2. Blueberry Salsa
Spice up your salsa with a new ingredient—blueberries! Serve this with tortilla chips for a substantial pre-dinner dip. Get the recipe at Southern
Living>>

3. Stuffed Medjool DatesFill up on fiber, antioxidants, vitamin A, and natural sweetness with this fun Medjool date idea: stuff each with blue cheese and top with an almond. Get the recipe at Health>>

4. Curried Tofu Salad
Make a lighter take on the classic curried salad with a starter made with mango chutney, grapes, and walnuts (eat it with chips as a dip, or turn into a sandwich). Get the recipe at Eating Well>>5. Sun-Dried Tomato and Artichoke Dip
Put a fresh spin on spinach-and-artichoke dip with sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, and feta cheese. Get the recipe at Whole Living>>

Appetizers & Sides

6. Cold Fruit Sushi with Honey Dipping SauceGive fruit salad a touch of elegance by serving it sushi-style with a side of honey for dipping. Get the recipe at Whole Living>>7. Gazpacho SaladInstead of blending cucumbers, green peppers, and tomato for soup, this recipe serves them in a zesty salad. Get the recipe at Taste of Home>>

8. Marinated CheeseMeats aren’t the only foods worth marinating: basic cheddar cheese becomes extra special when it’s imbued with a Mediterranean-inspired dressing. Get the recipe at Quick & Simple>>

9. Balsamic Carrot SaladTurn plain-Jane carrots into a zingy salad with balsamic vinegar, cilantro, and oregano. Get the recipe at Cooking Light>>

10. Peach and Cucumber SalsaWith just six calories per serving, there’s no shame in scooping up this smoky, satisfyingly crunchy salsa. Get the recipe at Epicurious>>

Appetizers & Sides

11. Kimchi Fermented cabbage, or Korean kimchi, is a sour, spicy, no-cook side that’s low in calories, sugar, and fat, and high in vitamins A and C. Serve it with grilled meats. Get the recipe at My Recipes>>

12. Jicama and Orange Salad with Citrus-Cumin Vinaigrette
Crunchy, light jicamas are like a sweet version of celery—and they take center stage in this fruit-veggie combo. Get the recipe at
Whole Living>>

13. Cowboy Caviar
This “caviar” is made with black beans, corn, tomatoes, and cilantro—think of it as a salsa that’s hearty enough to be a meal! Get the recipe at Quick & Simple>>

14. Cucumber Canapes
These tiny, open-face sandwiches are topped with herb spread, pimentos, and sliced cucumbers. Get the recipe at Taste of Home>>

15. Raw Artichoke and Parmesan Salad
This light and easy salad—no lettuce in sight—uses just five ingredients. Get the recipe at Open View Gardens>>

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Appetizers & Sides

16. Cantaloupe and Avocado Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing
Go leafless with this veggie and fruit medley tossed in honey-lime dressing. And best of all, you only need one bowl. Get the recipe at Whole Living>>

17. Easy Hummus with Tahini
All you need is a food processor to make this popular dip at home. Get the recipe at Food & Wine>>

18. Cucumber-Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes
These cream cheese and cucumber stuffed bites are light and satisfying. Get the recipe at Taste of Home>>

19. Super-Simple Three-Bean Salad
Load up on protein and fiber with this kaleidoscopic, three-bean salad. Get the recipe at Quick & Simple>>
20. Green Melon, Peppers, and Ricotta Salata
Sweet peppers join forces with salty ricotta cheese in this honeydew salad. Get the recipe at Kitchen Daily>>

Appetizers & Sides

21. Watermelon and Goat Cheese Salad
Pair sweet watermelon with salty goat cheese and pistachios in this pretty medley of colors and flavors. Get the recipe at Food52>>

22. Cucumber Cups
Talk about a two-minute appetizer: top cucumber slices with a dollop of cottage cheese—and you're done! Get the recipe at Whole Living>>

23. Pineapple and Poppyseed ColeslawCanned pineapple, apples, and poppy seeds sweeten up this tangy coleslaw. Get the recipe at Quick & Simple>>

24. Minty Chickpea Salad with Couscous
This couscous-chickpea mix makes a great light summer lunch or side. Get the recipe at Real Simple>>

Appetizers & Sides

26. South Georgia Caviar
Italian dressing shakes up this Southern chip dip with its base of black-eyed peas, corn, and tomatoes. Get the recipe at Food Network>>

27. Cucumber, Mint, and Berry Salad
This refreshing salad brings together the garden with fruits, veggies, and herbs. Get the recipe at Whole Living>>

28. Quick No-Cook Paté
No need to master the art of French cooking when you have this easy liverwurst spread—but everyone will be just as impressed. Get the recipe at Real Simple>>

29. Amagansett Corn Salad
Fresh corn on the cob is so sweet, it doesn’t even need to be cooked! Toss it with cherry tomatoes and a light dressing for a best-of-summer salad. Get the recipe at Food52>>

30. Prosciutto-Wrapped Pears
This take on the classic melon-proscuitto appetizer is as elegant as it is easy. Get the recipe at Sunset>>

31. Caprese Salad Kabobs
These kabobs feature mozzarella balls, grape tomatoes, stuffed olives, and pepperoni—caprese on a stick. Get the recipe at Taste of Home>>

32. Greek Salad with Sardines
Go Greek with a refreshing mix of cucumbers, tomatoes, feta cheese, Kalamata olives, lemon vinaigrette, and the real kicker—sardines. Get the recipe at EatingWell>>

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Sandwiches & Wraps

33. Crowd-Pleasin' MuffulettaMaking this Big Easy classic is, yes, easy—all you need are three types of cold meats, provolone, and veggies. Get the recipe at Taste of Home>>

34. Tijuana Torta
Take your taste buds south of the border with a traditional vegetarian Mexican torta, a sandwich on a crusty roll packed with spiced black beans and guacamole. Get the recipe at EatingWell>>

Sandwiches & Wraps

37. Tuna Tea Sandwiches
If you fancy a spot of afternoon tea, you’ll adore these dainty tuna sandwiches. Get the recipe at Taste of Home>>
38. Turkey Fig, and Black Olive SandwichesThis gourmet take on a lunch staple pairs turkey with figs and olives. Get the recipe at Epicurious>>

45. Raw Cream of Spinach Soup
Don’t be fooled by the simple concept—this soup is packed with herbs, garlic, and jalapeno for an extra flavorful punch. Get the recipe at Epicurious>>

46. Golden Gazpacho with Feta
One more excellent take on gazpacho, this one with yellow
tomatoes, yellow bell pepper, and feta. Get the recipe at Real Simple>>

47. Watermelon Gazpacho
Chill out on a hot night with a gazpacho that marries the tastes of sweet watermelon and light cucumber. Get the recipe at EatingWell>>

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Breakfast

48. Overnight Oatmeal
Too hot for oatmeal? Not when you assemble this jar of raw oats and milk the night before—your chilled oatmeal will be “cooked” through by morning. Get the recipe at Whole Foods>>

49. Breakfast Sundaes
Wake up to a sweet, crunchy “sundae” of beautifully layered yogurt, granola, banana slices, and mandarin oranges. Get the recipe at Taste of Home>>

Main Dishes

51. Ensenada Shrimp Cocktail
Trade traditional cocktail sauce for a mix of tomatoes, peppers, onions, and cilantro for a south-of-the-border spin on shrimp cocktail. Get the recipe at Taste of Home>>

52. Marinated Mushroom Caps
Meaty Portobello mushrooms are filled with a zesty cashew puree for a
substantial vegetarian meal. Get the recipe at Whole Living>>53. Rotisserie Chicken with Peaches, Walnuts, and Basil
Give store-bought rotisserie chicken a mouthwatering makeover with this 15-minute fix. Get the recipe at Sunset>>
54. Zucchini Carpaccio with Feta and Pine Nuts
This vegetarian take on an Italian cold cut sampler replaces the meat with thinly sliced, marinated zucchini. Get the recipe at Chow>>

55. Zucchini “Pasta”
Swap fettuccine for thin strips of zucchini and cherry tomatoes in this
fresh take on “pasta.” Get the recipe at Whole Living>>

Main Dishes

56. Chicken-Stuffed Tomatoes
Stuffed tomatoes with rotisserie chicken, carrots, green onions, and walnuts save you from having yet another tomato salad. Get the recipe at Taste of Home>>

57. Citrus Marinated Shrimp Cocktail
Add a squeeze of orange and lemon to your shrimp cocktail. Get the recipe at Epicurious>>

58. Melon Chicken Salad
This peanutty salad is packed with two types of melon and crisp, cool Daikon radish. Get the recipe at Cooking Light>>

Main Dishes

62. Classic Steak Tartare
Go raw with a classic French dish—just make sure to buy your meat from a reputable source. Get the recipe at Chow>>

63. Asparagus-Ham Roll-Ups
These asparagus-ham creations may look fancy, but with only two simple steps they’re a cinch to make. Get the recipe at Taste of Home>>
64. California Garden Roll
This tortilla wrap is extra delicious, thanks to pickled vegetables—and they only take a few extra minutes to make. Get the recipe at Epicurious>>
65. Chicken and Glass Noodle Salad
Work last night’s leftover chicken into a noodle-based salad that’s sweet, savory, and just a bit spicy. Get the recipe at Cooking Light>>
66. Chickpea Panzanella with Capers
The classic Italian bread salad gets a substantial boost with chickpeas. Get the recipe at Sunset>>

Desserts

67. Peanut Butter-Chocolate No-Bake Dessert
Celebrate the greatest marriage in the world of sweet treats— peanut butter and chocolate. Get the recipe at Taste of Home>>
68. Thumbprint Cookies
Seriously—this mix of almond butter, coconut, and rolled oats makes a delicious, no heat required cookie. Get the recipe at Whole Foods>>

69. Feta Frozen Yogurt with Blood Orange and Mint Granita
Redefine dessert with this frozen yogurt/granita hybrid that features, yes, feta cheese. Sounds crazy, but it works! Get the recipe at Food52>>
70. Almond Butter Cream Cheese Tart
This oven-free tart features a simple blend of cream cheese and sweet almond butter. Get the recipe at Cookistry>>
71. Tiramisu Sundaes
Top ice cream with ladyfingers, espresso, and brandy for a 3 minute, yet so sophisticated, take on tiramisu. Get the recipe at Martha Stewart >>

Desserts

72. No-Cook Coconut Pie
It’s easy to go coconuts about this creamy no-bake pie that honors the magic of instant pudding mix. Get the recipe at Taste of Home>>

73. Date Coconut Balls
Treat yourself to bite-sized, no-bake coconut sweets without any sugar, butter, or oil—and they’re best served cold! Get the recipe at Suite 101>>

74. Strawberry Dessert Soup
Sometimes all you want is something cold and fruity for dessert, and this creamy, strawberry soup is just the answer. Get the recipe at Quick & Simple>>

75. Creamy Coconut and Banana Pops
Take your taste buds on a tropical trip with these coconut and banana freezer pops. Get the recipe at Los Angeles Times>>

76. Whipped Sorbet
This one-step banana and berry sorbet is even easier than cake. Get the recipe at Whole Living>>

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Desserts

77. No-Bake Chocolate Torte
Wow family and friends with this layered pound cake, which only looks like it takes a lot of time to make. Get the recipe at Taste of Home>>
78. Snowballs
Crushed Oreos, pecans, and powdered sugar star in these treats. Get the recipe at MyRecipes.com>>79. Mango-Lime Granita
Skip the guilt trip with this slushy sweet that's packed with fruit. Get the recipe at Whole Living>>

80. Not Yo Mama’s Banana Pudding
The title says it all for Paula Deen’s unconventional take on a nostalgic favorite. Get the recipe at Food Network>>

81. Blueberry Lemon Trifle
Store-bought angel food cake is the base for this light, fancy-looking blueberry-and-lemon dessert. Get the recipe at Quick Cooking>>

Desserts

83. Avocado Chocolate Pudding, a.k.a. Chocomole
This vegan version of chocolate pudding replaces refined sugars and gelatin with avocado, dates, and of course, cocoa powder. Get the recipe at Whole Living>>

84. Cheesecake Dip
Cheesecake—in dip form? Turns out it’s fast, easy, and wholly
delicious. Serve it with strawberries and graham cracker crumbs and let
your guests make their own combinations. Get the recipe at Taste of Home>>

85. Lemonade Pie
What’s better than lemonade when it’s hot hot hot? Lemonade pie! Here’s a refreshing, no-bake spin on the classic key-lime version. Get the recipe at Southern Living>>
86. Cherry Fruit Salad
Lose the sugar and calories, and instead, rejuvenate your palate with fresh berries, oranges, and cherries tossed in fruit brandy. Get the recipe at Whole Living>>
87. Pina Colada Fruit Salad
This (non-alcoholic) mix of pineapple and coconut is extra tropical. Get the recipe at Taste of Home>>

Desserts

89. Individual No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecakes
Divvy up portions of pie in the simplest way with this no-bake take on strawberry cheesecake. Get the recipe at Food Network>>

90. Raw Berry Crisp
End your meal on a sweet note that mixes nuts, berries, dates, maple syrup, and cinnamon. Get the recipe at Whole Foods>>

91. Caramel-Dipped Marshmallows
Get the kids in the kitchen to help make this gooey, caramel treat that’s safe and easy, for even the tiniest helping hands. Get the recipe at Busy Cooks>>
92. Strawberry Fruit Dip
Fruit becomes dessert when it’s served with this sweet cream cheese-yogurt dip. Get the recipe at Taste of Home>>

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Desserts

93. Coconut “Yogurt”
You’ll have to crack open a fresh coconut to whip up this creamy custard—but doesn’t that sound like what you do on an island paradise? Get the recipe at Whole Living>>
94. Double Chocolate Pudding Pie
Pudding and pie go together even better than PB&J in this five-ingredient recipe. Get the recipe at MyRecipes.com>>95. Herb and White Wine Granita
With hints of rosemary and wine, this icy dessert screams (or rather, politely says) elegance. Get the recipe at Food52>>

96. Quick & Tasty Banana PuddingSatisfy tummies of all ages with these pretty banana parfaits that only require four ingredients. Get the recipe at Southern Living>>

97. No-Bake Peanut Butter BallsThis simple recipe for peanut butter balls calls for items that are probably already in your pantry, like peanut butter, honey,
and graham crackers. Get the recipe at Taste of Home>>